{"product_id":"p5946","title":"Bizen Sake Cup","description":"This Bizen sake cup is a masterpiece by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a man renowned for his peerless, god-like technical skill and the creator of countless fine works.\u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece features the potter's mark from the later years of his life, a period that followed his career beginnings as an artisan and the turbulent era he navigated before being designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe extremely elegant, symmetrical form reflects the expertise of a master who dedicated his entire life to the potter's wheel, and it is a delight to behold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAlthough it is a \"sangiri\" fired sake cup, traditionally made at the back of the kiln, it displays a vast array of colors that give it a camouflaged appearance.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe piece is based in the iron-rust colors of its darker sections, punctuated by the cloud-like whites typical of sangiri, a faintly gold-tinged orange clay body, and areas that—due to effective reduction firing—have taken on the thin, silver-blue hue of blue Bizen, along with touches of vermilion.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nWhile it is the height of simplicity—an analog process of hardening clay with fire—in this age of information overload, it is a work that offers a precious, quiet presence to keep by one's side.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san style) included.\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.3cm x 6.1cm, Height 5.8cm\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of ceramics in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe later honed his craft under the tutelage of Kyoto-based ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAfter the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRenowned as \"Toshu of the Potter's Wheel\" for his superior throwing skills, he favored the creation of delicate, symmetrical works.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was particularly passionate about creating tea caddies (cha-ire), establishing his position as a master of tea ceramics.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nHe was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) in 1987.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIn 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto.\" \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nKey awards and honors: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618018873441,"sku":"5946","price":98000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/5946.jpg?v=1790231174","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p5946","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}